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About Us

Linda and Michael Passaro, owners of Primo Amore, met and fell in love at Northern Highlands Highschool in Allendale, NJ. Their love lasted on and off over 15 years when they finally reconnected at a Bruce Springsteen concert and decided to spend their lives together. The blending of their Italian and Greek families, traditions, and culinary roots led to a lasting commitment of 20 years.

Linda’s family owned Greek diners and learned from a young age all the recipes of her food-centric family. Through her successful corporate marketing career, she journeyed to the culinary kitchens of famous Chefs such as Michael Tusk of San Francisco’s Quince, Michael Anthony’s NYC Gramercy Tavern and Ethan Stowell of Seattle’s Tavolata. Linda partnered with chefs on recipe development and special events. She became an expert in Italian lifestyle products, traveled often to Italy and gained knowledge of the espresso coffee culture, trained by Baristas on the art of espresso. She discovered her dream was to own a restaurant with her family, leaving the corporate life to follow her passion for food, family and entertaining. This led to the opening of Primo in Hawthorne on the border of Glen Rock and Wyckoff. Primo Amore continues to serve quality Italian food as a BYOB restaurant. Read the full story here.